When is the best time to be selling a Long Island NY home? According to a new study by the real estate brokerage Redfin, homeowners who list their property for sale often find the winter season the most advantageous time to be selling a Long Island NY home.

The winter season unofficially is considered to be the time between December 21st and March 20th. So if the Redfin study holds true for the best time to be selling a Long Island NY home, we're starting into the home stretch now, no pun intended.

Listing a Long Island NY Home Now May Net More

In an update to a two-year analysis it completed last year, Redfin researchers studied nationwide home listings, sales prices, and time-on-market data from 2010 through October 2014. According to Redfin's research, February is "historically the best month to list, with an average of 66 percent of those owners selling a Long Island NY home who listed then, selling within 90 days."

Selling a Long Island NY home during December through March tends to net sellers more than their asking price than listing during any months other than April and May.

Researchers say the winter market is less competitive for those selling a Long Island NY home since many people tend to wait until the spring to list. The smaller inventory of active listings help sellers get more attention from buyers on their properties. Also, many large corporations often transfer employees or hire new ones early in the year, creating opportunities for winter sellers from very motivated purchasers.

As for buyers, they may find winter a good time to make a move too. Sellers often are more flexible about negotiations over prices and terms than they would in the spring.

People tend to get more realistic at this time of year with the holidays behind them, particularly if their Long Island NY home has been on the market since last summer or fall.

Find more news articles as they relate to selling a Long Island NY home in the Long Island NY Home Selling Tips section under Long Island NY Real Estate Categories to your right. And find us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter for daily updates we post there as well.

If you're trying to sell your Long Island NY home and think remodeling or upgrading certain features of your home would be a waste of money, you should think again.

The cost of not making upgrades can be far greater than the small loss you'll incur on any home improvement projects. It can make the difference between getting multiple offers on your Long Island NY home, or getting no offers at all.

Features Buyers Want in a Long Island NY Home Today

1. Separate laundry room

Buyers who want this feature: 93 percent

Approximate cost to renovate: $2,800-$3,200 for an 80-square-foot space (replacing existing cabinetry, countertops, sink and flooring, painting the walls, and updating the plumbing and lighting fixtures)

2. Exterior lighting

Buyers who want this feature: 90 percent

Cost to buy and install: $150 to $250 per fixture

Exterior lighting is the most-wanted outdoor feature for a Long Island NY home, according to the National Association of Home Builders.

3. Energy Star windows

Buyers who want this feature: 89 percent

Cost to buy and install: $270-$800 per window

Swapping out your old windows for new energy-efficient versions will help your Long Island NY home stand out to buyers looking to save on utility costs.

4. Garage storage space

Buyers who want this feature: 86 percent

Cost to install: $2,200-$2,500 for a 380-square-foot space (including adding cabinets, a peg wallboard for tools and improved lighting and electrical circuits) Unlike an attic or backyard shed, the garage is easily accessible.

5. Eat-in kitchens

Buyers who want this feature: 85 percent

Cost to install: $1,000+

Making this particular improvement or change to your Long Island NY home can quickly escalate if you're knocking out a wall to make room for a dining table, so be careful with this one. It's not necessarily a do-it-yourself weekend project.

6. Walk-in pantry

Buyers who want this feature: 85 percent

Cost to install: Varies depending on design and location

Additional storage space in the kitchen is a big plus for potential buyers looking at your Long Island NY home. An added bonus would be the ability to tuck away mops and brooms neatly.

7. Wireless home security system

Buyers who want this feature: 50 percent

Cost to install: $100-$300

Installing a wireless home security system is less expensive than a hard-wired version and doesn't require professional assistance to install. Systems that can be easily controlled by a tablet or smart phone app are especially attractive.

If you're considering a system that is professionally monitored to notify police or fire departments as needed, they'll most likely provide installation for you, so installation costs for this feature may be next to nothing.

For more tips to help you sell your Long Island NY home, check out some of our other Long Island NY Home Selling Tips under Long Island NY Real Estate Categories to your right.

Here we are… another fall season upon us. If you're among the Long Island NY home sellers trying to make your home stand out in the list of homes for sale, here are some tips you should consider to keep your landscaping and exterior in top shape for those prospective home buyers.

Things Long Island NY Home Sellers Should Do Outside Now

Patch any brown areas of grass. After a whole summer of lawn care, don't let things go down now. Consider planting rye grass to keep your lawn looking green into the winter months. Most homeowners won't do this, so this simple chore could make your yard stand out when all the others brown out.

If your summer flowers are fading or wilting after a long season, create a new welcoming experience by replacing them with fresh mums and other fall friendly colorful flowers. A pumpkin and a bale of hay can create a nice welcome look on the front steps or porch.

Mulch your garden beds. This will provide an added layer of protection for your plants as winter creeps in. Rake leaves frequently; not only does it look better, but keeping loose debris from walkways creates a safer environment for potential buyers.

Provide adequate outdoor lighting. It won't be long before the days will be considerably shorter, which means buyers will need a well-lit path to your front door. Many Long Island NY home sellers forget that prospective buyers may also drive by a house they're interested in at night to see how well lit it is.

Pressure wash the exterior of your home – including the windows. As the leaves fall from the trees, your home will become more exposed to the scrutinizing eyes of potential buyers, so make sure it's appealing from the curb.

Things Long Island NY Home Sellers Should Do Inside Now

Add weather stripping to doors and windows if needed; the time to address a cold draft or air leak is before cold weather arrives.

Check your HVAC system. Also make sure your furnace has a new filter and have the system checked out by a professional. A buyer will be asking for this to be done during a home inspection anyhow, so go ahead and get it done now. It's better for you to discover any problems before a buyer brings it to your attention.

If you have a fireplace, chances are pretty good that you haven't used it in a long time, so it's a good idea to make sure it's clean and free from cobwebs.

When setting a price and trying to sell your Long Island NY home, conventional wisdom would have you think low-ball price. That thinking is not necessarily correct, however.

In residential real estate, the asking price is often as much about psychology as it is reality. Most home buyers don't realize that setting an asking price is primarily a negotiating tactic. When you set a list price, you're sending a signal to the market.

Many sellers overestimate the worth of their Long Island NY home, and some agents will start with a price that is too high to avoid hard feelings. Others agents may start high just to get the seller's business or, conversely, they'll price too low for a quick sale and commission.

When pricing your Long Island NY home for sale, remember one key thing. No one cares what you paid for the home. It's all about what it's worth in today's market.

Psychology of Pricing a Long Island NY Home

No one claims to fully understand the psychology of pricing a Long Island NY home. But some common practices have emerged. For example, research has found that an exact asking price, such as $595,475, often indicates that the price is less negotiable than a round number, such as $600,000. Perhaps those using precise pricing show confidence in their price.

Additionally, pricing at $599,900 rather than $600,000 influences buying decisions on a subconscious level. The home "seems way cheaper." And even when a Long Island NY home sells above asking price, the initial lower asking price can make buyers feel like they are getting a great deal. The goal is to make it stick in your head that you're getting a bargain. It's the way our brain looks at numbers.

Above all else, listen to your listing agent when he or she recommends a list price for your Long Island NY home. Your agent knows the market and what's selling. You have about a month to six weeks when your home hits the market before it starts to get stale and fade from prospective homebuyer's minds.

More articles about selling your Long Island NY home can be found in the Long Island NY Home Selling Tips section under Long Island NY Real Estate Categories Categories to your right.

If you're currently selling a Long Island NY home, or just considering selling, one thing you need to remember: You don't get a second chance to make a good first impression. That's why you must watch your curb appeal, and make sure you kick it up a notch to stand out in the neighborhood drive-by.

Even if your budget is limited, there are still some things you can do to increase the perceived value of your home so potential buyers aren't turned off before they even get to see the inside of your Long Island NY home…

For more tips on selling a Long Island NY home, check out our other articles and information at the Long Island NY Home Selling Tips link to your right under Long Island NY Real Estate Categories.